People may think this odd, but one reason I sent my kids to Catholic school was that I believe the Catholic schools are usually less influenced by the forces of religious fundamentalism. In a Catholic school, teachers can usually teach evolution and comparative religion without arousing the ire of parents.

But at a Catholic school meeting this week, I heard a parent complain about her eighth-grade child being required to do a paper on Buddhism, since the mother considered this a thread to the child's Catholic faith. I certainly hope the school doesn't give in to that complaint.

The forces of fundamentalism are frightening.

-Joe, strangely drawn to alliteration-